The air in the village hall was thick with the scent of roasted meat and the anticipation of a long night. For the people of the Podrinje region, a sijelo was more than a party; it was where stories were sung and old rivalries were toasted away. On the small wooden stage, the members of checked their instruments. Fahrudin gripped his violin, the wood worn smooth by years of travel, while the accordion player squeezed a quick, testing chord that cut through the chatter.
By the time the final note echoed off the rafters, the room was a blur of sweat and smiles. The "Raspjevane Meraklije" (the Singing Joy-Seekers) had lived up to their name once again, leaving the village with a melody that would stay in their heads long after the last lamp was extinguished. Raspjevane Meraklije 2014 - Pucaj mala
"Are you ready?" someone shouted from the back, holding up a glass of plum brandy. The air in the village hall was thick